The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has revealed that distribution companies (DisCos) were solely responsible for all safety-related casualties recorded in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) during the first quarter of 2025.
In its latest quarterly report, the Commission stated that “DisCos accounted for 100 per cent of casualties recorded in 2025/Q1,” continuing a concerning trend from previous quarters, where they accounted for “100 per cent, 92.98 per cent and 93.33 per cent” in 2024/Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively.
The report confirmed that no power generation companies (GenCos) recorded any casualties during the period. Among the DisCos, only Aba Power, Kano, and Yola recorded zero incidents.
Of the 26 casualties reported in the quarter, Benin DisCo led with six, followed by Eko and Ibadan with five each—representing “23.07%, 19.23%, and 19.23%” of the total, respectively.
The quarter also saw “31 accidents recorded,” resulting in “12 fatalities (employees and third party)” and “14 injuries.”
NERC identified major causes of the incidents as “wire snaps, illegal/unauthorised access, vandalism, unsafe acts/conditions, and falls from heights.” Additionally, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) recorded “8 cases of damage to property/infrastructure due to explosions, fire outbreaks or acts of vandalism.”
The Commission confirmed it has “initiated investigations into all reported accidents and will enforce appropriate actions where necessary.” It also stated that it continues to “closely monitor the implementation of licensees’ accident reduction strategies for the NESI.”
As part of ongoing safety efforts, the Commission organizes “various programs, including the Health and Safety Manager’s Meeting,” where it evaluates “licensees’ scorecards on compliance with health and safety standards.”
NERC emphasized its commitment to enforcing performance standards and ensuring transparency in compensation processes, stating that it “oversees settlement processes between licensees and families of accident victims.”
In the first quarter of 2025, the Commission “oversaw the successful conclusion of two compensation negotiations between licensees and families of victims.”